steve colborn
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Hi Brian. I have attended this type of course during my 5 yrs on the Board of East Durham Homes. Also, over the past 20 yrs, I have plenty of personal experience of dealing with thye Media. What I was looking for, is an ability to cross pollinate my own experienes with the ideas discussed in this/these, session/sessions and therefore draw conclusion!In a perfect world, I would like nothing better than to interact with other Party members in these workshops. Physical disability precludes this course of action however. Nevertheless, I would appreciate any feedback obtained from these sessions, for future reference and use.Best of luck to all
Which "we-evil", is the lesser of two "we-vils"? to paraphrase the Master and Commander film. Do workers in Scotland really think they will have any more say, in for instance, who gets dibs on North Sea Oil? Or who owns the landmass of Scotland? We should have been in there, putting this argument!!! does anyone really give a fart, whether the elected representative of Scotland, is Alex, or some de-facto tosser from south of the border? But we were'nt and and no one does
Can these sessions be recorded for those who cannot attend but who would like to peruse the outcomes?
I can envisage ways in which, as we approach a societal changeover, neither Parliament nor the "Barricade" will appertain. As class consciousness grows, it would throw up perceptions and understandings, we cannot percieve today. So, lets not straight jacket the discussion. As we continually say, workers at the time of the "revolution", will be the ones to set parameters and boundaries. We can only sit here agaog at the possibilities of the future. We today, cannot proscribe, nor circumscribe, nor should we!!!
Let's all take a step back. A partipant on a Party forum is putting forward "his" ideas! Do we react aggressively? Do we agree to disagree? Or do we "engage"?If we were in a physical meeting, how would we proceed? Any of the above? All of them? None of them?I think we need to reappraise our actions on the internet. We are "distanced" from the recipients of our posts and responses. What are we trying to accomplish? Not agreement at any cost, certainly! But we are trying to build a "movement". A movement for what? A movement for cooperation, for cooperation for a "new society". Can we achieve this by being aggressively confrontational? I think not.I am not arguing that we should sell "our principals" for the gaining of a few members. What I "am" saying, is that we should be more comradely and facilitating of discussion and questions and yes, ideas of others that get up members noses. Dont aggressively dispute. Have a discussion as if you and the person you were discussing with, were face to face.Hi Vin, DJP, L.Bird Steve Colborn, Gnome, Socialist Punk ETC ETC. Hi Comrades! Welcome to the forum for the downfall of Capitalism and fuck the Ego's "site". Now we can get somewhere, hopefully.
Within a couple of generations following societal changeover, those born into the new society, will think in totally different ways regarding the organisations and methods existant in this changed world. There will not be in the slightest, any thought of control of "people" but solely and only of "things".As someone who has spent all of my life, reading Science fiction and Fantasy, since the age of 8, I have a plethora of views on possible future structures of, not only "organisation" within the new world but also of the mindset of those living in it! As I have trust in my fellow human beings, I have trust and understanding, that those involved in the Social Revolution and it's future structure, will put in place, quite quickly, those things necessary for a changeover, not only of the raison d'etre of production, but structures to reinforce the understanding of how, why and with what consequences the Social Revolution was carried out.This is merely "my opinion" but one which I believe will come to fruition.
I can fully share Adams sentiments. Some, such as Anarchist groups, are quite incorrect to blame "Parliament". Parliament is and of itself, only an adjunct to the "running" of Capitalism. The cause of working class problems is Capitalism, pure and simple. A society organised in and for the interests of a tiny, infinitesimally small fraction of the population of the Earth.When Arachist groups and others, recognise this truth, maybe we can move forward, maybe!!!
Is it "Colin" or "Colon" Powell, for what comes out of his mouth, as with other apologists for the Capitalist system, has the air that it has passed over rectal tissue.
Once again, I will point out the most important pre-requisite, before a Societal change is on the cards. The existence of a majority of humans who both understand and want the alternatve and just as importantly, work to bring it about. It will be up to this informed, conscious majority who will, at the time we are talking about decide how the revolution will be enacted and its aftermath. Will they keep "Parliament" as a monument, museum or an adjunct to the truly democratic society we envisage. Will the state, as was debated within the SPGB in the 80's, be destroyed or allowed to whither away?All of the answers to these questions can and will be answered in the fullness of time. As for now, all we can do is hypothesise as to conditions and outcomes. As the movement for change grows and ideas evolve, so the possibilities before us will increase.What we must not do, IMHO, is to be so insular and inward looking as to miss oppurtunities for this growth. Nor must we be so "touchy" with regards to others who do not share every "crossed T and dotted i, with ourselves. And before anyone suggests or asks, yes I do accept and stand by the principles of The Socialist Party, as at present laid down. As a Socialist and moreover, a human being, I have an open and enquiring mind and do not intend to restrict either, for the sake of "custom and usage"! That is not to say, I intend to abondon mine, or the Party's principles, I do not.
Considering that a worker would get fuck all, off our "betters" if they resigned due to a cut in pay, or working hours, or conditions at their place of employment really, are workers "plucky" and accept these reduced facts of employment, or have they merely accepted the "fait accompli" and the threats implicit?
What is being missed, (in my humble opinion) is the necessary prerequiste of a Societal transformation. It is that it will be brought about by a collection of conscious, self aware individuals, working in their own interests from a "powerful" position of self knowledge. Everything, to my mind, springs from this. When one comprehends the power involved in this, it makes ones head spin.In this context, I would have no problem leaving one particular decision or another, to a group of fellow human beings, who possess the knowledge required to come to a decision/decisions, that are in the best interest of Humanity as a whole. For instance, a decision on medicines or a particular surgical treatment.What is also being missed, is that we cannot think about "democracy" in a new Society, with the same mindset as we consider it in Capitalism. It is like considering Socialism, by using the same mindset implicit today. The new society will most assuredly "not" be anything like Capitalism. It will be different, root and branch and the same goes for "democracy, or indeed anything else.In conclusion, we could do worse than emphasising the power that class consciousness really possesses and the usefullness of thinking of Democracy and the new society, in a totally different way and with a totally different mindset, than we employ today.
Lets put this in perspective. Parliament is a "building", nothing more, nor less. Demolishing "Parliament" or not, is an irrelevance. In a sane society, "Parliament" will be, for instance, where ever it is most appropriate and facilitative to be of use to we, human beings. Do we, in the internet age, presume that we will have discussion and decision made in an antiquated, outdated, unfit for purpose shit hole? I beg to say, not a fucking chance!!!It will be in and on, a facility like the "internet". Parliament is OK for "representative democracy", where we, the sheep, vote for "representatives" to take decisions on "our" behalf. For a method of direct participartive democracy, "Parliament" is a fucking joke and moreover, a farce.Technology offers us the chance for "real" democracy. Why be hindbound by the restrictions of "the past". Why not be set free, by the possibilities of the future? After all, as Soicialists, we want "the future", not the fucking 'decayed' past!!!
Hi all, For all those who have not done so already, could you please join the alternative "North East Regional Branch" site. As opposed to this site, it will have the ability for non members to participate in the meeting, much as one would do in a "normal" face to face public meeting.Furthermore, it is intended to use the site as a forum for North East members and sympathisers to discuss topics of interest and concern, again, much as one would do at a "normal" meeting. Participation is a necessary adjunct to a functioning "Socialist Society". The sooner we start availing ourselves of this facility, the quicker we will get used to it and by it's "open use" show others our intent.https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/NERBranchSPGB-WSM/conversations/messages/1This is the address of the new site. Please peruse it and hopefully decide to join. Members, of course, as well as "non-members" accepted. Thanks in advance and lets make this a vibrant site for discussion. In my capacity as Branch Organiser, it is my intention, if things go well, to call the next meeting from Fri 19th Sept 12 noon, until Sun 21st Sept 12 noon. It is a 24 hour abridgement to our last Branch meeting but using that meeting as a template, it is long enough.If any member has any items they would like included in the agenda, please do no hesitate to contact me at; stvclbrn@yahoo.co.uk or through this site for now, or preferably the new site.Comradely best wishes to all and I hope to we a good response. Steve Colborn,Branch Organiser.__._,_.___
This thread is titled, "Science for Communists". There is no specific branch of "science" circumscribed for discussion on this thread. As far as I understand, the discussion can bounce from the biological, to the psychological, to the "sociallly scientific", ETC ETC. All are valid topics for inclusion in a discussion on "science"!I think, to take every branch of "science" as it is brought up, on to a "seperate thread" would dilute from the object of this thread.Wideranging and disparate discussion is, to my mind, a necessity if we are to come to any conclusions re, "Science for Communists".
